As an interior designer, AD100 and ELLE Décor A-Lister, and MasterClass instructor Corey Damen Jenkins is well-versed in bold, next-level remodels. But transforming a pre-war luxury condominium on New York’s Upper East Side proved to be a uniquely ambitious and extravagant project — one that stands out even in his impressive portfolio.

We caught up with Corey to dive into his latest project and hear more about its highs, unique challenges and the creative strategy that shaped the design decisions.  

“We did all of the interior architecture on the house,” Corey said. “So we moved walls, we put in coffered ceilings, we created our own moldings for arched doorways and encased windows, we designed all of that. [We pushed] the contractors, the GC’s, the plumbers to do unusual things that were off the beaten path; doing the drawings then guiding them to create in a way that was not only functional but also really beautiful.“

The condominium overlooking Central Park originally consisted of two individual apartments, then merged into one to create a four-bedroom, six-bathroom apartment with nearly 4,000 square feet to reimagine.

Corey explained that he loves chasing bigger, bolder and more extravagant ideas, but his clients aren’t always ready for it, which forces him to rein things in to strike the right balance. The design process, he said, can be a bit like running a marathon. 

“I look at it as two people running on a race track, and one is an athlete and one’s not conditioned to run a marathon,” Corey said.

“They may start out together, but the athlete will eventually outpace the novice who’s not a trained athlete. So I think clients sometimes think ‘We’re going to finish this race,’ [but] they might not be as adventurous as they think they are. They start running with the designer, the designer outpaces them and we’re like ‘Where are you? Where’d you go?’”

But once in a while, he gets the chance to unleash his creativity and work with a client who’s just as enthusiastic about pushing designs one step further. This home on the Upper East Side offered this very experience.

The front hall draws the eye with silk-embroidered wall coverings set beneath a mirrored ceiling, reflecting the glow of opulent chandeliers. In the family room, coffered ceiling beams are draped in emerald silk grasscloth, and in the kitchen, Calacatta Viola stonework encases the range hood.  

“I was able to do this particular project as if it were a show house. The limits were lifted and the client was patient and bold, and for me as a designer it was a great career high, because you don’t get that everyday.”

His quest for the perfect appliances went well beyond aesthetics. A primary focus of the kitchen’s redesign included eliminating waste and utilizing appliances with maximum functionality and consistent performance. He added:

“I think the value needs to be there for the client because these are fixtures that are not cheap, but if you can convince the client to invest in themselves by showing them value — like the customer service support, the functionality, the beautiful finishes and textures — all of these things make it easier for clients to understand [and think] ‘Okay, yes. I'm going to invest more — not in JennAir — [but in] myself, and I deserve this luxury item for my day-to-day life.”

When the housewarming and reveal party came around, Corey noted a beam of pride on his client’s face as guests interacted with appliances and gushed over their luxurious look and feel. 

“[Appliances are] a transitional item that I think most people can relate to,” he shared. “Perhaps easier than a chandelier that might not be their taste or style, or a painted wall cover that’s not their speed. But everyone can appreciate an attractive appliance. It’s like that one common thing that everyone can get on board with and have a common appreciation for that goes beyond design.”

Countless late-night design sessions and plenty of mental energy pour into a project of this scale, so it’s no surprise when deep attachments form. As the project wrapped up, Corey and his client found themselves in tears, feeling a bittersweet blend of pride and post-project blues.

“I’m like a design doctor, I’m delivering the baby, it looks like you, it’s going home with you,” Corey said.

“And now it’s new chapters, new experiences from this point out, but I’m not going to be part of those because my job here is done. So there was a little bit of sadness when the project came to an end because we had such a sustained momentum of non-stop gab on design for, you know, 18 months of our lives. It’s a relationship.”